Where should you drive for Uber or Lyft in North Carolina? It’s not where you think
A North Carolina county is among the best places in the country to drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, a study found. But it may not be where you think.
Johnston County is among the top 25 “hottest markets” in the country right now for rideshare drivers, a November study from FinanceBuzz found.
Researchers found the top 25 growth markets where rideshare sales are growing faster than the number of drivers, the study says.
Johnston County, which was the only one in North Carolina to make the list, ranked at number 18, the study says.
It had a 99.5 percent increase in sector revenue and an 83.1 percent increase in drivers, according to the study.
The study used data from the U.S. Census Bureau on “nonemployer statistics for the Taxi and Limousine Service sector” in 2016 and 2017 and examined markets that had at least 100 established drivers in 2017.
The markets that made the list had a few things in common, the study says, including population growth, a lack of public transportation options and an increase in new businesses.
Between 2010 and 2018, Johnston County’s population grew from 168,877 to 202,675, according to U.S. Census data.
“When it comes to driving for rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, where you work has a big impact on your earning potential,” the study says. “Ideally speaking, you want to drive in an area that has a consistent demand and where you’re not competing with too many other drivers.”
But there are things to consider before deciding to drive for a rideshare company, according to the study.
Driving for these companies allows you to work on your own schedule, earn more at busy times, earn tips and earn extra money, the study says.
But there can be safety issues with picking up strangers, there is no guaranteed income and it increases the wear and tear on your car, the study says.
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 2:26 PM.
